Washington ? Biotech crops are flourishing in the United States, but they’re also taking root across the globe, accounting for about $44 billion in crops in five leading countries, according to a report Wednesday by an industry group.

Argentina has planted $8.9 billion worth of genetically engineered soybeans and corn. In China, biotech cotton is worth $3.9 billion. There are $2 billion in genetically altered canola, corn and soybeans growing in Canada, and Brazil has biotech soybeans worth $1.6 billion.

The United States eclipses them all with its nearly $28 billion in biotech soybeans, corn, cotton and canola.

The report, by a University of Minnesota researcher for the industry’s Council for Biotechnology Information, anticipates that growth of these gene-altered crops will soar, particularly in Asia, Latin America and parts of Africa.